Packers Defense Targets Maye's Deep Arm Ahead of Sunday Clash
Green Bay ranks third in the NFL in limiting explosive plays, creating a major challenge for New England's passing game.
By Samantha Reed ·
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye faces a defensive unit that has specifically targeted his most potent weapon all season. The Patriots play the Green Bay Packers on Sunday in Foxborough, a contest where the outcome may hinge on whether tight end Hunter Henry can play.
The Packers have been the most effective defense in the league at stopping long passes. They allow just 40.5 downfield completions, the fourth-lowest total in the NFL. They have also intercepted seven passes thrown 10 yards or more beyond the line of scrimmage, a league-leading figure. Maye has completed 57.8 percent of his downfield throws for 1,103 yards and 10 touchdowns. He ranks second in the league for deep passing yards, with 538 completions of 20 yards or more.
Hunter Henry returned to full practice on Friday for the first time since suffering a foot injury in a win over the Miami Dolphins. He is listed as questionable for the matchup. Maye called Henry a security blanket and a great leader in the huddle. Henry left last week's game in the second quarter with a foot issue and did not return. Teammates noted that the passing rhythm suffered when he was removed.
Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon has a history with Maye. They met in 2024 when Maye was a rookie, resulting in a 30-17 loss for New England. Maye said Gannon's unit is physical and well-coached. The defense mixes pressure looks and keeps receivers in front of defenders. Maye described the challenge as tough, noting the presence of both veteran and young players.
The Patriots face a secondary dilemma in coverage. Their defense runs the second-highest percentage of man coverage in the league at 35.8 percent. Cornerback Christian Gonzalez has been effective in man assignments, allowing just three catches on six targets for 29 yards in 42 snaps against top receivers. However, the Patriots have allowed a league-worst 71.7 percent of downfield throws to be completed when playing zone coverage. Packers quarterback Jordan Love has thrown for 1,071 yards against zone defenses, the most in the league.
Green Bay also excels at stopping the run. They have the fifth-best stuff rate in the NFL at 20.2 percent. They limit opponents to an average of 0.63 yards before contact, the fourth-lowest in football. Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson has averaged just 0.4 yards before contact per carry this season. The Packers allow the fewest rush yards over expected on quarterback scrambles in the league, a metric that hurts Maye, who is one of the most efficient mobile quarterbacks in the NFL.
The Packers rely heavily on their pass rush to compensate for a struggling offensive line. Jordan Love has faced the second-highest quick-pressure rate in the NFL at 22.6 percent through seven games. His completion percentage over expected drops to negative 3.0 when under pressure. The Patriots aim to use speed-to-power rushes to crowd Love quickly, potentially forcing him into early throws. Green Bay is currently 5-3 and contending for a postseason berth despite their offensive line injuries.
